Obey x Dilla

February 19, 2009

Obey's Shepard Fairey, with B+, has created a print of J. Dilla based on B+'s 2003 Jaylib photograph. The 400 prints (18 in x 24 in) will release at obeygiant.com on February 20th for $55 USDsold out shortly after going on sale on Feb. 20. 50 prints will be sold at the Timeless event "Suite for Ma Dukes" on Sunday Feb. 22.

SHEPARD FAIREY:
“J Dilla was a great music producer who died of lupus. Now his mom has lupus and needs help with her medical bills. This collaborative poster with B+ will benefit Dilla’s mom ‘Ma Dukes.’ There is a benefit concert as well. Info below. Please support ‘Ma Dukes.’”

B+:
The photo used in the making of this poster was made in 2003 in Detroit at Dilla’s home/studio. I had been commissioned by Stones Throw to photograph him for the Jaylib record. Eric Coleman and myself were chuffed to tell him about how much love there was for him in the city of Angels. We had met Dilla several times before and he always had the same humble slightly withdrawn demeanor. He wasn’t entirely happy to have his photograph taken but it was understandable as the illness was beginning to wreak havoc on his body. Dilla meant so much to anyone who watched hiphop slowly decline as the 90s wore on. He stood for soul and jazz and musicianship in the music. His beats saved many lives, inspired many and he carried a heavy weight into the early millennium. He continued to elevate the music when many fell to the demands of a mainstream only interested in excess, hyper-commodification and violence.

All through his illness Dilla leaned heavily on his mother Maureen Yancey (fondly known to him as Ma Dukes). She was his 24-hour nurse, she patiently sat as he programmed beats. She even pushed his wheelchair on a European tour at the end of 05. Her complete commitment to him was inspiring. She too suffers from Lupus, the illness that took him. Early in 09 we received word that Ma Dukes illness had gotten worse. She was struggling away in Detroit and had hit some financial difficulties. I reached out to Shep through Ernesto to see if he would be interested in doing something for her. As always Shepherd got on it with the quickness. The proceeds from this sale will go to her. What you see here is a unique and great collaboration for someone who has brought much joy and love into many lives. Long live Dilla. Ma Dukes we love you.